Geoff Taggart

Geoff Taggart is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading, serving as Deputy Director of the PG Cert Healthcare Education program. He specializes in education's role in fostering human flourishing, with a focus on adult behavior in learning organizations emphasizing care ethics, professional resilience, and early childhood development. He holds a PhD in spiritual development and is an ordained interfaith minister, contributing to contemplative pedagogy research. His teaching includes modules like Head and Heart: Education for Wisdom and Community and Professional Studies. Key research areas include mindfulness in education, ethical teacher professionalism, and practitioner self-care.

Education: PhD (spiritual development), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Research Interests: Spiritual development in education, ethical formation in teacher training, and the integration of contemplative practices into pedagogy. Notable projects include Re-gendering Early Years (reinterpreting maternal care traditions) and Values in Education (affective ethical development).

Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Advisory Roles: Supervises PhD/EdD/Master’s students on topics like early years supervision, attachment styles in practitioners, and interfaith religious education. His advisees include Rose Mina Munjee (mindfulness-based social justice education) and Andy Wall (Freirean pedagogy in Ireland).

Labs/Teams: Active in early childhood education research groups, focusing on ethical and spiritual dimensions of education.